If the New York Rangers had their way, Noah Laba would have taken the next step in his hockey career.
Instead, the Colorado College sophomore, who led the Tigers in points (37), assists (17) and goals (20) this past season, will return to downtown Colorado Springs and the Ed Robson Arena for a third season. And, he'll be skating as an assistant captain in the 2024-2025 season.
Thursday, the Tigers announced three captains for the upcoming season with Laba and sophomore defenseman Ethan Straky serving as assistants and junior center Stanley Cooley wearing the "C."
It's hard to blame New York for wanting their 2022 fourth-round draft pick to move on. Laba led the National Collegiate Hockey Conference in goals scored during league play with 16 and game-winning goals with seven - including four in overtime. He was third in the nation with three short-handed goals on the season. He took home the NCHC's defensive forward of the year and three stars awards, part of a league-high for major awards won by CC players and staff.
"They wanted me there and in a way, obviously I want to move on and be there too but I just felt like my time here at CC wasn't done, there's more for me to do, more for me and the team to accomplish," Laba said. "That went into the decision and I'm really happy with it and they obviously fully supported my decision."
The unfinished business is simple for Laba: help the Tigers to win a national title and an NCHC title. Following a 21-win season, the team's best outing since 2010-2011, Laba knows that expectations will be high coming into next season, but it's not something he worries about.
"I think we gotta look at it as not pressure but an opportunity. We're not worried about what happened last year or the year before, it's a whole 'nother team and we're going to treat it as such and we're going to prepare for each game like we have the past few years. We're going to work for the result. Obviously, it's the process that matters so just sticking to that is important."
Cooley served as an assistant captain the past two seasons and skated with the team's third/energy line this past year. He, junior Tommy Middleton and senior Ray Christy were called to be leaders on the ice for the Tigers' forwards. He had 14 points on five goals and nine assists for CC last season. He has been an ironman for the Tigers, playing in all 111 potential contests.
Straky has also played all his potential games with 75 appearances. The defenseman recorded 33 blocked shots this season and posted five points on two goals and three assists.
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